Information processing apparatus with external update and restore processes

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus is provided for preventing an operator from erroneously rewriting data, by which a process can be performed only by connecting an external storage device to a CPU unit without checking whether a user program in the CPU unit is newer or older than that in the external storage device. 
     For carrying out the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, setting parameters selected from a plurality of setting parameters are set to the external storage device and the CPU unit, and the setting parameters set in the external storage device and the CPU unit are compared. If the parameters are matched with each other, whether the user program stored in the CPU unit is newer or older than that stored in the external storage device is determined by the comparison of the stored times, and then an update process, a backup process, or a restore process is performed according to the matched setting parameter of the CPU unit and that of the external storage device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No.PCT/JP2010/007394 filed Dec. 21, 2010, the contents of all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a change of a user program in aninformation processing apparatus having a CPU unit and an externalstorage device, for storing the user program, connected to the CPU unit.

BACKGROUND ART

In an information processing system, even when a equipment facility tobe controlled is in an operation state, an update process, a backupprocess, or a restore process for a user program is needed forcorrecting a malfunction or adjusting an operation. The update processis a process for adding a program to the user program or modifying theuser program, which is performed to change the equipment facility,correct the malfunction, or adjust the operation. In this system, aprogram version in an information processing apparatus and that in aperipheral device are compared with each other, and, only when theprogram version in the peripheral device is new, the program in theinformation processing apparatus is updated. Conventionally, a systemhas been proposed in which the information-processing-apparatus-sideprogram is automatically updated by connecting the peripheral device tothe information processing apparatus.

On the other hand, in a case in which the backup process having beenprepared to recover the information processing system when a problemsuch as a malfunction of the information processing apparatus occurs bycopying the user program in the information processing apparatus intothe peripheral device, or the restore process for recovering theinformation processing system by copying into the information processingapparatus the user program having been backed up in the peripheraldevice by the backup process become necessary, a method of performingthe backup process or the restore process of the user program from aprogramming tool on a personal computer while connecting the personalcomputer to the information processing apparatus, or a method ofperforming the backup process or the restore process, caused by poweron/off or switch on/off of the information processing apparatus whileconnecting the peripheral device such as a USB flash memory or an SDcard to the information processing apparatus has been used (for example,refer to Patent Document 1).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   [Patent Document 1]-   Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-187633 (Paragraph    0041 and Paragraph 0042)

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the equipment facility using the information processingapparatus, because the personal computer is not always connectedthereto, in a case of the personal computer not placed nearby, in orderto perform the update process, the backup process, or the restoreprocess, the personal computer becomes necessary to be prepared.However, because in many cases the proximity of the equipment facilityis under a special environment such as a clean room, many working hoursare required for obtaining and preparing such a personal computer.

In order to perform the above processes, an operator needs knowledge foroperating the programming tool, and education and training of operatorsare required.

In the method in which the peripheral device is used, the backup processor the restore process is started by a power-on or switch-on/offoperation, etc. According to this method, if the operator does notunderstand whether data stored in the external storage device is neweror older than that in the CPU unit, a problem may occur that the userprogram is erroneously updated (a backup or restore process beingfaultily performed) caused by an erroneous power-on operation or anerroneous operation of the switch by the operator.

The addition process and the modification process of the user programcan be performed by the same procedure as those of the restore process;however, a problem may also occur that the user program is incorrectlyupdated by an incorrect operation of the operator.

The present invention is made to solve the above described problems, inwhich a setting parameter selected from a plurality of settingparameters and set to a CPU unit is compared with a setting parameterselected from a plurality of setting parameters and set to an externalstorage device. When the parameters are matched with each other, whetherthe stored time of a user program stored in the CPU unit is newer orolder than that stored in the external storage device are determined bycomparison, and then a process is performed using the matched settingparameter of the CPU unit and that of the external storage device.Accordingly, an objective of the present invention is to provide aninformation processing apparatus by which an operator can perform theprocess only by connecting the external storage device to the CPU unitwithout checking whether the user program in the CPU unit is newer orolder than that in the external storage device so that the operator canbe prevented from erroneously rewriting data.

Means for Solving the Problem

An information processing apparatus according to the present inventionincludes a CPU unit, and an external storage device connected to the CPUunit, in which

in the external storage device, a second user program, attached data ofthe second user program, and setting parameters for setting a pluralityof processes performed in the CPU unit are stored, and a second settingparameter is selected from the plurality of the setting parameters andset, and

the CPU unit further includes:

-   -   a storage in which a first user program, attached data of the        first user program, and setting parameters for setting a        plurality of processes performed in the CPU unit are stored, and        a first setting parameter is selected from the plurality of the        setting parameters and set;    -   an I/O controller for reading out from the storage the first        user program, the attached data of the first user program, and        the first setting parameter, and reading out from the external        storage device the second user program, the attached data of the        second user program, and the second setting parameter;    -   a time information determinator for determining, by comparing        time information included in the attached data of the first user        program with that of the second user program, whether stored        time of the first user program is newer or older than stored        time of the second user program where specific information        included in the attached data of the first user program and the        attached data of the second user program are identical to each        other; and    -   a comparison calculator, in which the plurality of setting        parameters stored in the external storage device and the storage        include at least setting parameters for setting an update        process, a backup process, and a restore process, and which        compares whether the first setting parameter matches with the        second setting parameter, and if the parameters are matched with        each other, processing is performed according to the matched        first and second setting parameters.

Advantageous Effect of the Invention

According to the information processing apparatus of the presentinvention, setting parameters selected from a plurality of settingparameters are set to the external storage device and the CPU unit, andthe setting parameters set in the external storage device and the CPUunit are compared. If the parameters are matched with each other,whether the user program stored in the CPU unit is newer or older thanthat stored in the external storage device is determined by thecomparison of the stored times, and then a process is performedaccording to the matched setting parameter of the CPU unit and that ofthe external storage device. Therefore, because the operator can performthe process only by connecting the external storage device to the CPUunit without checking whether the user program in the CPU unit is neweror older than that in the external storage device, the operator can beprevented from erroneously rewriting the data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing a functional configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart representing an operation of a CPU unit of theinformation processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is another flowchart representing an operation of the CPU unit ofthe information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 4 is another flowchart representing an operation of the CPU unit ofthe information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1.

Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention isexplained referring to the drawings.

An information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 isexplained. The information processing apparatus is configured of a CPUunit and an external storage device. Here, the configuration is notlimited only to the CPU unit and the external storage device, but mayinclude various kinds of units such as a power supply unit and a baseunit in addition. FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing a functionalconfiguration of the information processing apparatus, which representsa state of the external storage device being connected to the CPU unit.

In FIG. 1, an information processing apparatus 115 (for example, aprogrammable controller) is configured of a CPU unit 101 and an externalstorage device 111. The CPU unit 101 has a switch 104 including a switchfor selecting a first setting parameter 116 from three settingparameters each representing an update process, a backup process, or arestore process, and a power-on/off switch. The CPU unit 101 is alsoconfigured with an I/O controller 105 for reading out data, a display106 for displaying a process completion result by using a display meansafter all processes have been completed, a program storage 107 formemorizing a first user program 102, first attached data 103, and thethree setting parameters, and a processor 110 for processing bycomparing a setting parameter of the CPU unit 101 with that of theexternal storage device 111.

The processor 110 is configured of a time information determinator 109for determining whether the time information included in the twoattached data is new or old, and a comparison-calculator 108 forperforming an update process, a backup process, or a restore process bycomparing matching of the two setting parameters. In the program storage107, the first user program 102, the first attached data 103, and thethree setting parameters are stored. As a part of the informationprocessing apparatus, in the external storage device 111 connected tothe CPU unit 101, a second user program 112, second attached data 113,and three setting parameters are stored. In the external storage device111, a switch 114 for selecting a second setting parameter 117 from thethree setting parameters is also provided. The setting parameter 117having been selected from the three setting parameters stored in theexternal storage device 111 and set is a parameter for determining whichone of the update process, the backup process, and the restore processthe CPU unit 101 performs. One setting parameter is selected from thesethree setting parameters by switching by the switch 114 and set. Here,three or more setting parameters may be provided, or a setting parameterrepresenting a periodical update process, etc., can be also considered.The switch 104 and the switch 114 may be those provided on the outersurface of the apparatus, or those by which an operator can select, fromthe three setting parameters previously stored in the program storage107 and the external storage device 111, and set one setting parameterby using a programming tool of an input device such as a personalcomputer. Only one setting parameter may be set in the external storagedevice 111 or the CPU unit 101.

The external storage device 111 in FIG. 1 indicates a recording mediumto be connected to the CPU unit 101, which is easy to be carried, suchas a USB flash memory, an SD card, a personal computer, or an electricaldevice.

The switch 104 operates to let the I/O controller 105 detect connectionbetween the CPU unit 101 and the external storage device 111, where theI/O controller 105 detects the connection by turning on the power supplyby the switch 104 in a state of the external storage device 111 beingconnected to the I/O controller 105. In the switch 104, in addition tothe on/off switch of the power supply, the three parameters of theupdate process, the backup process, and the restore process performed inthe CPU unit 101 are stored in the program storage 107, and a selectorswitch that can change the setting parameter is also provided by whichone of the parameters is selected and set.

The change of the setting parameter for determining which of the updateprocess, the backup process, and the restore process to be performed bythe CPU unit 101 is performed can be carried out by switching the switch104 that can select one parameter from the three setting parametersstored in the CPU unit 101 and set using the programming tool in theinput device such as a personal computer, or by switching the switch 104provided on the computer surface of the CPU unit 101. The same appliesto the external storage device 111.

The three setting parameters stored in the external storage device 111are those for setting the update process in which the second userprogram 112 newer than the first user program 102 stored in the programstorage 107 of the CPU unit 101 is copied into the CPU unit 101, thebackup process in which the first user program 102 in the CPU unit 101is copied into the external storage device 111, and the restore processin which the second user program 112 stored in the external storagedevice 111 is copied to the program storage 107 of the CPU unit 101. Thesecond setting parameter 117 that is one of the three setting parametersis selected and set in the external storage device 111. Similarly, inthe program storage 107 of the CPU unit 101, the setting parameters forsetting the three processes performed in the CPU unit are stored, andthe first setting parameter 116 that is one of the three settingparameters is selected and set.

The I/O controller 105 in the CPU unit electrically detects an inputsignal by turning on the power supply by the switch 104, or an inputsignal directly transmitted through a connector. Here, an on/off switchfor inputting a signal to the I/O controller 105 may be provided on theouter surface of the external storage device 111.

The I/O controller 105 performs a process for reading out the seconduser program 112 and the second attached data 113 stored in the externalstorage device 111 connected to the CPU unit 101, and the second settingparameter 117 selected and set by the switch 114. The I/O controller 105also performs a process for reading out the first user program and thefirst attached data 103 stored in the program storage 107, and the firstsetting parameter 116 selected and set by the switch 104.

Here, the first attached data 103 (the second attached data 113) isplural information items including specific information for identifyingwhether the first user program 102 and the second user program 112 areidentical, and assumed to be configured with a user program name, a dataamount, an updated date and time, a specific ID or the like.

The comparison calculator 108 of the processor 110 compares to determineidentification with the first attached data 103 whether datacorresponding to the first user program 102 stored in the programstorage 107 is the second user program 112 read out from the externalstorage device 111 by the I/O controller 105. In a case of a pluralityof user programs being stored in the external storage device 111, all ofthe attached data in the external storage device 111 are compared withthe first attached data 103.

The comparison calculator 108 compares the first setting parameter 116read out by the I/O controller 105 from the program storage 107 in whichthe three setting parameters are stored, with the second settingparameter 117 read out by the I/O controller 105 from the externalstorage device 111 in which the three setting parameters are stored. Ifthe setting parameters are different from each other as a result of thecomparison, the update process, the backup process, and the restoreprocess are not performed.

If the first setting parameter 116 selected and set in the CPU unit 101matches with the second setting parameter 117 selected and set in theexternal storage device 111, the comparison calculator 108 determinesbased on the matched setting parameter value which of the updateprocess, the restore process, and the backup process is to be performed,and performs a calculation process.

On the display 105, an LED or the like is turned on, or blinks on andoff based on completion of the calculation process of the comparisoncalculator 108. For example, when the calculation has been normallycompleted, the LED is turned on, while when the calculation has beenabnormally completed, the LED blinks on and off.

Next, an operation of the CPU unit 101, when the external storage device111 is connected to the I/O controller 105 in the CPU unit 101, isexplained.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart representing an operation in the CPU unit 101, inthe configuration as represented in FIG. 1, after the external storagedevice 111 has been connected to the I/O controller 105, until theprocessor 110 of the CPU unit 101 completes the calculation process.

In FIG. 2, the I/O controller 105 of the CPU unit 101 determines at Step201 whether the external storage device 111 is connected to the CPU unit101. Regarding the determination method whether the connection isperformed, an electrical signal is transmitted to the I/O controller 105through the switch 104 provided on the CPU unit 101, or directlytransmitted through the connector.

If the I/O controller 105 determines that the external storage device111 has been connected thereto, the process proceeds to the reading-outprocess (Step 202) of the second setting parameter 117, the second userprogram 112, and the second attached data 113 stored in the externalstorage device 111.

On the other hand, if the I/O controller 105 determines that theexternal storage device 111 is not connected thereto, the process isfinished, and the CPU unit 101 does nothing.

At Step 202, the I/O controller 105 reads out the second user program112 and the second attached data 113 stored in the external storagedevice 111, and the second setting parameter 117 selected and set by theswitch 114. The I/O controller 105 also reads out the first user programand the first attached data stored in the program storage 107 of the CPUunit 101, and the first setting parameter 116 selected and set by theswitch 104.

When the reading-out process has been completed, the process proceeds toStep 203. If the external storage device 111 has neither the second userprogram 112 nor the second attached data 113, the process is completedat this point.

At Step 203, the comparison calculator 108 determines whether the seconduser program 112 read out by the I/O controller 105 is datacorresponding to the first user program 102 stored in the programstorage 107 in the CPU unit 101. At that time, identity between thespecific information such as the user program name, and the specific IDof the first attached data 103 attached to the first user program 102and that of the second attached data 113 attached to the second userprogram 112 is determined, and then as the first user program 102 andthe second user program 112 having the same specific information are setto be targets for the update process, the restore process, or the backupprocess. If the corresponding data is present, the process proceeds toStep 204.

On the other hand, if the corresponding data is not present, the processis completed, and the CPU unit 101 does not perform the subsequentprocess.

At Step 204, the comparison calculator 108 determines whether the firstsetting parameter 116 selected to set by the switch 104 of the CPU unit101 and the second setting parameter 117 selected and set by the switch114 are matched with each other. If they are matched, at Step 210, thevalue of the second setting parameter 117 read out from the externalstorage device 111, that is, the value of the first setting parameter116 set by the switch 104 of the CPU unit 101 is checked, and then theprocess goes to the update process, the restore process, or the backupprocess.

If the first setting parameter 116 selected and set by the switch 104 ofthe CPU unit 101 and the second setting parameter 117 selected and setby the switch 114, which are matched with each other at step 204,represent the update process, the process proceeds to Step 205. At Step205, the time information determinator 109 compares the time order basedon the time information included in respective attached data of thefirst user program 102 and the second user program 112 associated atStep 203. That is, if the time information determinator 109 determinesthat the date time of the first attached data 103 in the CPU unit 101 isolder than the date time of the second attached data 113 of the externalstorage device 111, the process proceeds to Step 208, and the comparisoncalculator 108 copies the second user program 112 in the externalstorage device 111 into the program storage 107 provided in the CPU unitfor rewriting, then the calculation process is completed.

On the other hand, if the date time of the first attached data 103 inthe CPU unit 101 is determined to be newer than the date time of thesecond attached data 113 in the external storage device 111, thecalculation process is completed.

If the first setting parameter 116 and the second setting parameter 117matched with each other at Step 204 represent the restore process, theprocess proceeds to Step 206. Because the restore process is a processfor recovering data, without comparing the time order of the respectiveattached data of the first user program 102 and the second user program112 associated at Step 203 by the time information determinator 109, thesecond user program 112 in the external storage device 111 is copiedinto the program storage 107 in the CPU unit, and then the calculationprocess is completed.

If the first setting parameter 116 and the second setting parameter 117matched at Step 204 represent the backup process, the process proceedsto Step 207. At Step 207, the time information determinator 109determines compares the time order of the respective attached data ofthe first user program 102 and the second user program 112 associated atStep 203, and, if the date time of the first attached data 103 in theCPU unit 101 is determined to be newer than the date time of the secondattached data 113 in the external storage device 111, the processproceeds to Step 209. The comparison calculator 108 copies the firstuser program 102 in the CPU unit 101 into the external storage device111 for rewriting, then the calculation process is finished.

On the other hand, at Step 207, if the date time of the first attacheddata 103 in the CPU unit 101 is determined to be older than the datetime of the second attached data 113 in the external storage device 111,because the older data is not necessary to be copied to the externalstorage device 111, the calculation process is completed.

The CPU unit 101 can announce to the outside that the processes at Step201 to Step 209 have been completed, by a display means such as the LEDincluded in the CPU unit 101 or a device provided therearound.

For example, when the update process, the restore process, or the backupprocess has been normally completed, the LED is made to turn on, while,when the process has been completed with a processing error, the LED ismade to blink on and off. According to this procedure, it becomes quiteobvious whether the process has normally been completed.

According to the above described information processing apparatus 115 ofEmbodiment 1, in the first user program 102 and the second user program112 having the same specific information included in the first attacheddata 103 of the first user program 102 and in the second attached data113 of the second user program 112, the first setting parameter 116 setby the selection by the switch 104 provided on the CPU unit 101 iscompared with the second setting parameter 117 set by the selection bythe switch 114 provided on the external storage device 111. If theparameters are matched with each other, while determining whether thestored time of the first user program 102 is newer or older than thestored time of the second user program 112 depending on the matchedsetting parameters, the update process, the backup process or therestore process of the first user program 102 is performed. Therefore,because an operator can perform the update process, the backup processor the restore process without requiring checking whether the userprogram in the CPU unit is newer or older than that in the externalstorage device, the operator can be prevented from erroneously rewritingdata.

Moreover, because the operator is not required to use the programmingtool on the personal computer by connecting the personal computer to theCPU unit 101 for performing the update process, the backup process orthe restore process, training and education are not needed for theoperator who uses such devices.

In the above description, an example is represented in which the switch104 for changing and setting the setting parameter is provided on theCPU unit 101; however, it is not necessary to be provided. The threesetting parameters are not necessary to be stored in the program storage107, either. That is, the CPU unit 101 can be also configured in such away that the switch 104 is made to serve only as a power on/off switchand the setting parameters are not set. FIG. 3 is a flowchart where aswitch for changing the setting parameters is provided only on theexternal storage device 111. Here, descriptions for the configurationsand operations equal to the above ones are appropriately omitted.

When the external storage device 111 is connected to the I/O controller105 in the CPU unit 101, at Step 202, the second user program 112, thesecond attached data 113 and the second setting parameter 117 stored inthe external storage device 111 are read out.

If the second user program 112, the second attached data 113 and thesecond setting parameter 117 are not included in the external storagedevice 111, the process is completed at this point.

At Step 203, the comparison calculator 108 determines whether the seconduser program 112 read out by the I/O controller 105 is datacorresponding to the first user program 102 stored in the programstorage 107 in the CPU unit 101. At that time, identity between thespecific information such as the user program name and the specific IDof the first attached data 103 attached to the first user program 102,and that of the second attached data 113 attached to the second userprogram 112 is determined, and then a user program having the identicalinformation, that is, the second user program 112 corresponding to thefirst user program 102, is set to be a target for the update process,the restore process, or the backup process. If the corresponding data,that is, the second user program 112 corresponding to the first userprogram 102 is present, in which the specific information of the firstattached data 103 and that of the second attached data 113 are matchedto each other, the process proceeds to Step 204.

On the other hand, if the corresponding data is not present, the processis completed, and the CPU unit 101 does not perform the subsequentprocess.

In a case in which the second setting parameter 117 read out at Step202, selected by the switch 114 and set is the update process, theprocess proceeds to Step 205; in case of the restore process, theprocess proceeds to Step 206; in case of the backup process, the processproceeds to Step 207. The processes at Step 205, Step 206, and Step 207are as described above.

Accordingly, in the first user program 102 and the second user program112 having the same specific information included in the first attacheddata 103 of the first user program 102 and in the second attached data113 of the second user program 112, while determining whether the storedtime of the first user program 102 is newer or older than the storedtime of the second user program 112 depending on the second settingparameter 117 set by the selection of the switch 114 provided on theexternal storage device 111, the update process, the backup process orthe restore process of the first user program 102 is performed.Therefore, because an operator can perform the update process, thebackup process or the restore process without requiring checking whetherthe user program in the CPU unit is newer or older than that in theexternal storage device, the operator can be prevented from erroneouslyrewriting data.

Moreover, because the operator is not required to use the programmingtool on the personal computer by connecting the personal computer to theCPU unit 101 for performing the update process, the backup process orthe restore process, training and education are not needed for theoperator who uses such devices.

In the above description, an example has been represented in which theswitch for changing the setting parameter is provided on the externalstorage device 111; however, it is not necessary to set the secondsetting parameter to the external storage device 111. It is notnecessary to memorize the three setting parameters in the externalstorage device 111, either. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a case in which theswitch for changing the setting parameter is provided only on the CPUunit 101. Here, descriptions for the configurations and operations equalto the above ones are appropriately omitted.

When the external storage device 111 is connected to the I/O controller105 in the CPU unit 101, at Step 202, the second user program 112 andthe second attached data 113 stored in the external storage device 111are read out. At this time, the second user program 112 and the secondattached data 113 stored in the CPU unit 101, and the first settingparameter 116 set by the switch 104 for changing the setting parameterprovided on the CPU unit 101 are also read out.

If the second user program 112 and the second attached data 113 are notincluded in the external storage device 111, the process is completed atthis point.

At Step 203, the comparison calculator 108 determines whether the seconduser program 112 read out by the I/O controller 105 is datacorresponding to the first user program 102 stored in the programstorage 107 in the CPU unit 101. At that time, identity between thespecific information such as the user program name and the specific IDof the first attached data 103 attached to the first user program 102,and that of the second attached data 113 attached to the second userprogram 112 is determined, and then a user program having the identicalinformation, that is, the second user program 112 corresponding to thefirst user program 102, is set to be a target for the update process,the restore process, or the backup process. If the corresponding data,that is, the second user program 112 corresponding to the first userprogram 102 is present, in which the specific information of the firstattached data 103 and that of the second attached data 113 are matchedto each other, the process proceeds to Step 204.

On the other hand, if the corresponding data is not present, the processis completed, and the CPU unit 101 does not perform the subsequentprocess.

In a case in which the first setting parameter 116 read out at Step 202,selected by the switch 104 and set is the update process, the processproceeds to Step 205; in case of the restore process, the processproceeds to Step 206; in case of the backup process, the processproceeds to Step 207. The processes at Step 205, Step 206, and Step 207are as described above.

Accordingly, in the first user program 102 and the second user program112 having the same specific information included in the first attacheddata 102 of the first user program 103 and in the second attached data113 of the second user program 112, while determining whether the storedtime of the first user program 102 is newer or older than the storedtime of the second user program 112 depending on the first settingparameter 116 set by the selection of the switch 104 provided on the CPUunit 101, the update process, the backup process or the restore processof the first user program 102 is performed. Therefore, because anoperator can perform the update process, the backup process or therestore process without requiring checking whether the user program inthe CPU unit is newer or older than that in the external storage device,the operator can be prevented from erroneously rewriting data.

Moreover, because the operator is not required to use the programmingtool on the personal computer by connecting the personal computer to theCPU unit 101 for performing the update process, the backup process orthe restore process, training and education are not needed for theoperator who uses such devices.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

-   101: CPU unit-   102: First user program-   103: First attached data-   104: Switch-   105: I/O controller-   106: Display-   107: Program storage-   108: Comparison calculator-   109: Time information determinator-   110: Processor-   111: External storage device-   112: Second user program-   113: Second attached data-   114: Switch-   115: Information processing apparatus-   116: First setting parameter-   117: Second setting parameter

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: acentral processing unit (CPU); and an external storage device connectedto the CPU, the external storage device comprises a second user program,attached data of the second user program, and second setting parameterhaving a backup process option, a restore process option and a updateprocesses option to be performed in the CPU, and the second settingparameter is set to one of the backup, the restore and the updateprocess options, the CPU comprises: a storage comprising a first userprogram, attached data of the first user program, and a first settingparameter having the backup process option, the restore process optionand the update processes option to be performed in the CPU, and thefirst setting parameter is set to one of the backup, the restore and theupdate process options; an I/O controller reading from the storage thefirst user program, the attached data of the first user program, and thefirst setting parameter, and reading from the external storage devicethe second user program, the attached data of the second user program,and the second setting parameter; and a comparison calculator comparingwhether the first setting parameter matches with the second settingparameter, and if the parameters are matched with each other, directingthe CPU to perform the indicated backup, restore or update process tothe first user program, the second user program and their attached data.2. The information processing apparatus as recited in claim 1, whereinthe first setting parameter set in the CPU is a setting parameterselected by switching a switch provided on the CPU and set, while thesecond setting parameter set in the external storage device is a settingparameter selected by switching a switch provided on the externalstorage device and set.
 3. The information processing apparatus asrecited in claim 1, the CPU further comprises a time informationdeterminator for determining, by comparing time information included inthe attached data of the first user program with that of the second userprogram, whether stored time of the first user program is newer or olderthan stored time of the second user program where specific informationincluded in the attached data of the first user program and the attacheddata of the second user program are identical to each other, wherein theupdate process is a process in which the comparison calculator copiesthe second user program to the storage for rewriting when the timeinformation determinator determines that time information included inthe attached data of the first user program is older than that of thesecond user program, the backup process is a process in which thecomparison calculator copies the first user program to the externalstorage device for rewriting when the time information determinatordetermines that time information included in the attached data of thefirst user program is newer than that of the second user program, andthe restore process is a process in which the comparison calculatorcopies the second user program to the storage for rewriting withoutcomparing time information included in the attached data of the firstuser program with that of the second user program.
 4. The informationprocessing apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a firstexternal switch provided on the external storage configured to bemanipulated by a user to set one of the plurality of setting parametersand a second switch provided on the CPU to set one of the plurality ofparameters.
 5. The information processing apparatus as recited in claim4, further comprising a third switch provided on the CPU configured toturn on and off the CPU, wherein the processing by the comparisoncalculator is triggered by switching the third switch to turn on theCPU.
 6. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecomparison calculator is further configured to compare the firstattached data to the second attached data to determine whether datacorresponding to the first program are present in the second program,wherein, if the comparison calculator determines that the datacorresponding to the first program are present in the second program,the comparison calculator further compares whether the first settingparameter matches with the second setting parameter, and if theparameters are matched with each other, performing the process indicatedby the matched first and second setting parameters, and wherein theprocess further comprises one of: performing a comparison of timeinformation of the user programs to determine which program is newer andcopying the user program to the storage without the comparing of thetime information.
 7. An information processing method comprising:storing, in an external storage device connected to a CPU a second userprogram, attached data of the second user program, and a second settingparameter having a backup process option, a restore process option, andan update processes option to be performed in the CPU; setting thesecond setting parameter to one of the backup, the restore, and theupdate process options; storing in a storage a first user program,attached data of the first user program, and a first setting parameterhaving the backup process option, the restore process option, and theupdate process option to be performed in the CPU; setting the firstsetting parameter to one of the backup, the restore, and the updateprocess options; reading by a controller, from the storage, the firstuser program, the attached data of the first user program, and the firstsetting parameter, and reading from the external storage device thesecond user program, the attached data of the second user program, andthe second setting parameter; comparing whether the first settingparameter matches with the second setting parameter; and in response tothe parameters matching with each other, directing the CPU to performthe indicated backup, restore, or update process to the first userprogram, the second user program, and their attached data.
 8. Theinformation processing method as recited in claim 7, wherein the firstsetting parameter set in the CPU is a setting parameter selected byswitching a switch provided on the CPU and set, while the second settingparameter set in the external storage device is a setting parameterselected by switching a switch provided on the external storage deviceand set.
 9. The information processing method as recited in claim 7,further comprising determining, by comparing time information includedin the attached data of the first user program with that of the seconduser program, whether stored time of the first user program is newer orolder than stored time of the second user program where specificinformation included in the attached data of the first user program andthe attached data of the second user program are identical to eachother, wherein the update process is a process in which the second userprogram is copied into the storage for rewriting when the determinedtime information included in the attached data of the first user programis older than that of the second user program, the backup process is aprocess in which the first user program is copied to the externalstorage device for rewriting when the determined time informationincluded in the attached data of the first user program is newer thanthat of the second user program, and the restore process is a process inwhich the second user program is copied into the storage for rewritingwithout comparing time information included in the attached data of thefirst user program with that of the second user program.